God is With You -- So Get Ready for a Blessed Day

"Have a good one!" "Have a great day!" "Have a wonderful day," "Have a terrific day," We’ve all heard those words, in one form or another, and we've given those words at some time to someone. And then there are those of us who take it to a HIGHER level when we say, "Have a blessed day!" After ALL, we say it with the words ringing in our ears "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" (Psalm 118:24). We woke up; we're breathing so it's a good, good day!

Today is election day and I'll be honest with you, I'll be thrilled all the campaign signs will be off the lawns in my neighborhood and the negative ads that dominated our airwaves and the latest polls will be over. At the end of this day, regardless of who is elected, this day will have been a blessed, good day.

What DOES a good day look like to you? Does it depend on all wins and no loses? Sunshine and no rain? Is it a day when all is calm and there are no storms; only smooth sailing and no waves? Is it just laughter and no tears? Is it making progress and no setbacks? Is it just exciting times with no disappointments? What DOES a good day look like?

A GOOD Day has G-O-D in it -- no matter what that day holds. God in our day; God in our heart; God in our circumstances; God in our valleys; God in our mountaintops; God in our joys; God in our sorrows; God in our trials; God in our triumphs; God in our need; God in our abundance.

ANY day is a GOOD, blessed day when we are mindful that where we are and whatever we're doing, He Who holds our yesterdays, todays and tomorrows is with us. He is for us. He is able to sustain us, provide for us, equip us and fill us with His peace, comfort, and joy in our EVERY day! I refuse to count my problems; I'll count my blessings. I'm breathing. I'm moving. I'm alive.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new EVERY morning; great is Your faithfulness” Lamentations 3:22-23

Now, go out there and have a good, great, wonderful, awesome, fantastic, BLESSED day! After all, God made it for us and He is smack dab in the middle of it so we might as well jump wholeheartedly into this day and make it the BEST one EVER!

My Prediction for November 9th

There is nothing I could say that could top this message that was recently written by one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado. I wouldn't give up my own posting for just anyone, but because I believe these words so much, it's as though THIS IS MY POST! I urge you to read every word and realize, no matter what.....WE WIN!

MY PREDICTION FOR NOVEMBER 9th (Written October 11, 2016)

We are really ready for this presidential election to be over. We’re ready for an end to the rancor and tackiness. Voters on both sides feel frustrated, even embarrassed by it all. There is a visceral fear, an angst about the result. What if so and so wins? When we wake up to November 9th, post-election, when the confetti is swept away and the election is finally over, what will we see?

I have a prediction. I know exactly what November 9th will bring. Another day of God’s perfect sovereignty. He will still be in charge. His throne will still be occupied. He will still manage the affairs of the world. Never before has His providence depended on a king, president, or ruler. And it won’t on November 9, 2016. “The LORD can control a king’s mind as he controls a river; He can direct it as He pleases” (Proverbs 21:1).

On one occasion, the Lord turned the heart of the King of Assyria so that he aided them in the construction of the Temple. [1] On another occasion, he stirred the heart of Cyrus to release the Jews to return to Jerusalem. [2] Nebuchadnezzar was considered to be the mightiest king of his generation. But God humbled and put him in “detention” for seven years. [3] “The kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations” (Psalm 22:28).

Understanding God’s sovereignty over the nations opens the door to peace. When we realize that God influences the hearts of all rulers, we can then choose to pray for them rather than fret about them. Rather than wring our hands, we bend our knees, we select prayer over despair.

Jeremiah did this. He was the prophet to Israel during one of her darkest periods of rebellion. He was called “the weeping prophet” because he was one. He wept at the condition of the people and the depravity of their faith. He was so distraught that one of his books was entitled Lamentations. But then he considered the work of God. Note the intentionality of his words:
This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
The LORD’s lovingkindnesses indeed never ceases,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness. (Lamentation 3:21-23)

Imitate Jeremiah. Lift up your eyes. Dare to believe that good things will happen. Dare to believe that God was speaking to us when He said: “In everything God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28).

Let's make this our prayer:
Dear Lord,
You are perfect. You could not be better than you are. You are self-created. You exist because you choose to exist. You are self-sustaining. No one helps you. No one gives you strength. You are self-governing. Who can question your deeds? Who dares advise you? You are correct. In every way. In every choice. You regret no decision. You have never failed. Never! You cannot fail! You are God! You will accomplish your plan. You are happy. Eternally joyful. Endlessly content. You are the king, supreme ruler, absolute monarch, overlord, and rajah of all history. An arch of your eyebrow and a million angels will pivot and salute. Every throne is a footstool to yours. Every crown is papier–mâché to yours. No limitations, hesitations, questions, second thoughts, or backward glances. You consult no clock. You keep no calendar. You report to no one. You are in charge..........AND I TRUST YOU!

Circle November 9th on your calendar and write upon it the words: Our good God rules the world.
© MaxLucado, October 2016

Great is Your Faithfulness

My “ROCK-solid” foundation came as a result of having parents that loved and served God with all their hearts. Our church seemed to be our second home. We were in there whenever the doors opened – oftentimes five times (or more) a week. I’m a lifelong Sunday School girl, and my memory bank is packed full of children’s songs (with the hand motions that accompanied them), as well as all the verses of many hymns and choruses. There are so many beautiful songs written today and sung by incredible artists, but when I find myself humming or singing a tune, it’s usually one that goes way back. One of my favorites is the old hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.“ written in 1925. The lyrics come from Lamentations 3:22-24 “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness."

Nighttime – seems to present the toughest times when sleep is disturbed by worry, concern and fear. I remember, as a little girl, having a bad dream or one of those awful virus bugs, and the long, long, nights that seemed like they would never end. I remember very long and troubled nights when my young children suffered from an illness or were afraid of something and they’d crawl into bed with us for comfort. I remember the many painful nights that my sweetheart struggled for rest and peace in his body. But, in every nighttime interruption of sleep, I remember the sweet mornings that eventually came, when hope and comfort was restored. Surely, the line of the song that said, “Morning by morning new mercies I see…..” was so true. Those mercies ARE new every morning. Great is God’s faithfulness to us.

Typically we don't wake in the morning thinking about God’s mercies. We’re already in the “to-do-list” mode. Rather than listing God’s mercies, we’re listing our concerns and worries for this new day. In my morning prayer time, I really do endeavor to adore, worship and thank God before I go into my "needs and wants" list. That old hymn rolls around in my head and instead of all those needs, wants and desires, I start to hum the tune I’ve known since childhood. And it reminds me of the God who has loved me since long before that.
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided –
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

That “All I have needed” part is what makes me stop and be thankful. Do I really believe that “all I have needed His hand has provided? Do I live like I really believe that? The list is so numerous when I start to ponder His faithfulness to me – my 25+ year old washer and dryer that continue to work so faithfully, my strength and good health that I never take for granted, my precious family, my friends, my churches, my 6-year old car, my sound mind, my dishwasher, microwave, stove, refrigerator, fresh water, warmth in the winter, air conditioning in the summer, living in America, for the kindness of others, for the internet and Facebook, for food and clothes. And, so many more things that can be added to God’s faithfulness.

God’s faithfulness is new every morning in hundreds of different ways. In all the ups and downs, disappointments and joys, the good times and the bad....there is this one thing that doesn’t change -- God’s faithfulness.

I so desperately want to become an expert at believing that. Just think, with each new day, God gives us the chance to prove His faithfulness. And throughout history, He’s never once been proven wrong, for His mercies are new every morning, no matter what.